Volunteers Needed for Annual Point-in-Time Count and Project Homeless Connect Jan. 27-28

The City of Virginia Beach and the BEACH Community Partnership will conduct the annual Point-in-Time Count of people who are experiencing homelessness the last week of January. In coordination with the count, Project Homeless Connect will also be held to provide supportive services and resources to homeless families and individuals. Volunteers are needed to help with both events.

• Point-in-Time Count: Wednesday, Jan. 27, from
  9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
  
  Volunteers will be part of a team assigned to one of the four police precincts in Virginia Beach to help count and administer a survey to homeless persons living on the streets.

• Project Homeless Connect: Thursday, Jan. 28, from
  8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Open Door Chapel, 3177 Virginia Beach Blvd. Volunteer shifts are from 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  
  Volunteers will help with a variety of activities (i.e., set-up/clean-up, registration, guides, administering surveys, handing out supplies and food, etc.).

To volunteer, register online at www.beach-cp.org/VOLUNTEER2016 by Jan. 4 Jan 15. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Mandatory training will be provided. For more information, contact Pam Shine, homeless programs coordinator with the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, at (757) 385-5761 or pshine@vbgov.com.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that the city conduct the Point-in-Time Count to continue receiving federal funds through the Continuum of Care (CoC). Each year, more than $1.3 million is granted through the CoC to Virginia Beach agencies that provide housing and supportive services to the homeless. The data collected from the count also enables the city to assess the size and characteristics of the homeless population in order to help develop and enhance strategies for preventing and ending homelessness.

BEACH, which stands for Bringing an End to All City Homelessness, is a community partnership of city, nonprofit and faith-based organizations. For more information about BEACH, visit www.beach-cp.org.